This episode only has one word to describe it: amazing! I could use some more adjectives but, I mean, you got my point... It gives us a vision of House and his past that we never had before and it makes us understand better why he is like he is and be more sympathetic towards him. It also shows that his staff and his friends don't know him nor understand him that well and that House really can be a good teacher and a good person. In my opinion, Cameron gets a new view of House and understands what he meant with him being her next "charity case". I wish every episode was like this one, it would be the best television show EVER (even now it's close). It definitely deserves the Emmy, it's excellent!
14 Reviews
There's a Reason This One Won an Emmy
pointgiven5117 July 2006
I saw that this one won an Emmy for "Best Writing for a Dramatic Series" in 2005 and rushed through four episodes to get to it. Should have taken my time.
There are times you get too hyped for an episode and then you go see it and you think, "Gosh, it wasn't THAT great." I had worried that the same effect would happen here. I would watch it and then at the end I would go, "I could have written something better." In addition I would have had lost all respect for the Emmy voters.
Good thing it didn't happen.
Proof that David Shore is a scribe worth looking out for is how he handles the events in the story. Going through it, one can see that it's very easy to confuse the watcher. Yet the director and the writer capably navigate the jumble and emerge triumphant.
The story paces like a brilliant novel, where the story is manipulated at whim by the story-teller. I saw it a couple more times to find things I wanted to clear up, but I'm slow.
You might not love it, but you'll go "Dude, that was awesome!" at the end.
There are times you get too hyped for an episode and then you go see it and you think, "Gosh, it wasn't THAT great." I had worried that the same effect would happen here. I would watch it and then at the end I would go, "I could have written something better." In addition I would have had lost all respect for the Emmy voters.
Good thing it didn't happen.
Proof that David Shore is a scribe worth looking out for is how he handles the events in the story. Going through it, one can see that it's very easy to confuse the watcher. Yet the director and the writer capably navigate the jumble and emerge triumphant.
The story paces like a brilliant novel, where the story is manipulated at whim by the story-teller. I saw it a couple more times to find things I wanted to clear up, but I'm slow.
You might not love it, but you'll go "Dude, that was awesome!" at the end.
One of the best
dalermatt22 June 2006
This is arguably the best episode of any show I've ever seen. Strong words but the episode backs it up. It builds slowly as the kind of lecture you'd expect from House, with an off-the-wall topic and several strange turns. But subtly, without your even sensing it, it hits you with the real meaning of the topic House is expounding on. Like the best episodes it packs an incredible amount of plot and emotion and drama into 60 minutes, and before its over you're left breathless and on the edge of your seat.
I generally like House but this episode stunned me. It made watching a television show into an experience in a way few episodes of few series ever have, at least for me.
I generally like House but this episode stunned me. It made watching a television show into an experience in a way few episodes of few series ever have, at least for me.
Brilliant TV!!
sparksjoy14 September 2006
This is one of the best hours I've EVER watched on TV. It should be required viewing in film schools and writing courses.
It's funny, sly (in the very best way!), and extremely touching. Not only is this HOUSE at its best, this is television at its best.
David Shore won the 2005 EMMY for "Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series" for this episode.
Directors Guild of America, USA, awarded Paris Barclay its 2006 award for "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - Night" for this episode.
IMDb's plot outline details just enough to provide a glimmer of what the overall story is. To reveal more would spoil your pleasure from watching it.
It's funny, sly (in the very best way!), and extremely touching. Not only is this HOUSE at its best, this is television at its best.
David Shore won the 2005 EMMY for "Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series" for this episode.
Directors Guild of America, USA, awarded Paris Barclay its 2006 award for "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - Night" for this episode.
IMDb's plot outline details just enough to provide a glimmer of what the overall story is. To reveal more would spoil your pleasure from watching it.
late to the game
GraXXoR10 October 2017
No spoilers...I want you to experience this excellent episode for yourself....
12 years after this episode first aired, I finally got to watch it... I was expecting a little light escapism after the "heaviness"(LOL) of House's first date... Instead I was knocked for six by this quirky, humorous yet plot and character advancing episode. Laugh inducing yet tear jerking and oddly poignant. I cannot say any more other than that... O_O
Serialised TV at it's absolute finest!
12 years after this episode first aired, I finally got to watch it... I was expecting a little light escapism after the "heaviness"(LOL) of House's first date... Instead I was knocked for six by this quirky, humorous yet plot and character advancing episode. Laugh inducing yet tear jerking and oddly poignant. I cannot say any more other than that... O_O
Serialised TV at it's absolute finest!
best episode
rahenson128 March 2010
This was the best episode I've ever seen of any TV show. I remember when it first aired I was taping it for my wife. She was home later than I thought she'd be and I was actually upset with her because I wanted to watch it again immediately and had to wait for her. The twist in the middle was genius. The tie in to the next episode is equally great. The medical questions raised are among the most difficult I've seen raised on the show. I loved how the staff showed up during his lecture. Somehow they heard what he was talking about and had to hear it for themselves. Still five years later I'll stop down when it airs like it did tonight on USA.
HAD to rate this episode
sidgate22 July 2020
It had me by throat!
Shubhapexhunter-shukla15 May 2018
I'm not crying, you are!
tvinodramprasad8 July 2021
What was that? I had to come here to rate this title because it moved me so much. An unexpected episode explaining one of the unspoken storyline of the series.
I mean the way Greg narrated the story pulled me into his world. It took a moment for me to realize that I was watching a TV series. That people, is how you narrate. Should rank among All time great episodes.
I mean the way Greg narrated the story pulled me into his world. It took a moment for me to realize that I was watching a TV series. That people, is how you narrate. Should rank among All time great episodes.
Wow
yk-763-31489315 February 2020
Amazing!!
ricmariniello21 April 2021
WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN?
kj_tenneson29 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The show is pretty kick-ass already as a medical procedural, but this episode took it to another level!
The narrative approach to this, as House lectures a group of medical students about the real applications (and consequences) of 'doctoring'. It was a great vehicle to get the audience engaged and keep our attention by revealing more and more about each of the three cases. And while each case kept me waiting to see which person got what outcome - it was like watching a shell game, where House is the game master and we're all just trying to keep up!
It was also a completely brilliant way to give an exposition piece on House's own condition and how he became the 'little ray of sunshine' we all know and love so well. Through flashbacks, we get to see both the physical and a good chunk of the emotional traumas that have made House the man he is today.
And last, but not least, we got to see how each of those stories took unexpected turns from what we thought/expected to see - the only real note worthy exception being the volley ball player, but both the pain seeking patient and the farmer were not at all what they seemed.
One of my favorite episodes so far...well done!
The narrative approach to this, as House lectures a group of medical students about the real applications (and consequences) of 'doctoring'. It was a great vehicle to get the audience engaged and keep our attention by revealing more and more about each of the three cases. And while each case kept me waiting to see which person got what outcome - it was like watching a shell game, where House is the game master and we're all just trying to keep up!
It was also a completely brilliant way to give an exposition piece on House's own condition and how he became the 'little ray of sunshine' we all know and love so well. Through flashbacks, we get to see both the physical and a good chunk of the emotional traumas that have made House the man he is today.
And last, but not least, we got to see how each of those stories took unexpected turns from what we thought/expected to see - the only real note worthy exception being the volley ball player, but both the pain seeking patient and the farmer were not at all what they seemed.
One of my favorite episodes so far...well done!
Tricky episode
xredgarnetx3 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Just when I was thinking the show was in a rut, along comes this episode. Cuddy coerces House into taking the place of a sick instructor and lecture a bunch of young students. House presents the students with three case studies, all to do with leg problems. The episode jumps about in time, substitutes characters at will, and even has an Einsteinian moment where House explains to his team that time ultimately means nothing. For a moment or two, House envisions one of the patients as a popular Latina celebrity, Carmen Electra, and he and we get to see her with her pants off. It is a sublimely funny moment. As House's lecture progresses, we notice the auditorium filling up. Near the end of the lecture, the room is now SRO. House's team is in attendance, along with with Cuddy. House being House, he also figures out what has been making the regular instructor sick on a recurring basis. A truly brilliant episode. We meet a trio of students who will become the next Cameron, Foreman and the Aussie. In the process of House relating the story of each of the patients, he finally fills us in on his own leg trauma. We also meet House's former flame, played by the luscious Sela Ward, who will figure more prominently in Season Two.
The episode to put House above other medical shows
heikkima22 December 2021
While House is a great show, the formula of each episode being similar can be a downside.
This episode does it differently and flips the script, leading to one of the most interesting ways to give viewers exposition about characters in any show.
This episode does it differently and flips the script, leading to one of the most interesting ways to give viewers exposition about characters in any show.
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